Refrigerating apparatus.



C. J. COLEMAN.

REFRIGBRATING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED 00w. 1, 1902.

1 ,O 5 4,5O7, Patented Feb. 25, 1913.

WZZIMsG e3:

CLYDE J. COLEMAN, OF NEIW YORK, N. Y.

REFRIGERATING APPARATUS Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed October 1, 1902. Serial No. 125,545.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CLYDE J. COLEMAN,

- a citizen of the United States, residing at the borough of Manhattan, in the city of New York, county of New York, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Refrigerating .Apparatus, of -which the following 18 a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

The present invention relates to that type of refrigeration apparatus, in which the different operations .of' the system, automatically succeed each other in recurring cycles.

And thepresent improvement has for its object to provide a simple and efficient electrically controlled refrigeration apparatus, in which the different operations or steps of the process, to Wit:the vaporizing or distilling, the condensing or liquefying, the expanding, and the absorbing of the ammoma or other gaseous medium employed, are automatically caused to succeed each other in recurring cycles, and in which as any one step or operation in the process nears 1ts end the next succeeding step or operation will be automatically commenced, and so on through the series of operations and the recurring cycles thereof, all as will hereinafter more fully appear and be more particularly pointed out in the claims.

, In the accompanying drawing, illustrative of the present invention is shown an elevation partly sectional and partly diagrammatic of an automatic refrigerating apparatus embodying the present invention.

Similar numerals of reference indicate like parts in the different v1ews.'

Referring to the drawing: 1, represents the combined absorbing and generating vessel or distilling chamber; 2, the rectifier or water separator; 3, the storage or condensing chamber or coils, in which the liquefication of the ammonia gas is efiected; 4, the

expansion valve; and 5, the expansion chamber or coils, in which the liquefied ammonia is expanded to effect the cooling operation of the system.

The above described members of the refrigerating apparatus are usual to the present type of refrigeration systems, and maybe of any well known and approved construction, and may be connected together in theusual manner; the generator 1, by pipe connection 6, with the rectifier 2, which in turn is connected by pipe 7 with the condensing chamber 3, such pipe connection being pro- Patented Feb. 25,1913.

vided with a check valve 8, to prevent back flow into the rectifier and generator.

The condensing chamber 3, is connected to the expansion or cooling chamber 5, by a pipe connection 9, in which is arranged the expansion valve {,t; and the expansion or cooling chamber is in turn connected to the generator 1, by the return pipe connection 10, I rovided with a check valve 11, to preven back flow from the generator into the expansion or cooling chamber.

In the distillation and absorption system of refrigeration to which the present inventionmore particularly relates and as heretofore practised, a very serious obstacle to the successful and continued operation of the process was met with in the fact that water or aqueous vapor in a greater or less quantity, was carried over into the condensing or liquefying chamber, with the subsequent results of a clogging up of the expansion valve, and the expansion coils or chamber, by .the congelation of such Water therein, and so producing a material reduction in the efiicient and economical action of such portions of the system, and which reduction in efliciency was further augmented by a reduction in the volatility of the ammonia due to the presence of such water. Vvith aview to avoiding such defects in the present system of refrigeration as heretofore practised; my invention includes means for removing from the ammonia gas, after it leaves thegenerating chamber, any water or aqueous vapor which may be carried over with the ammonia gas from such generator.

My invention consists in the provision in connection with an intermittent distillation and absorption system of refrigeration, of a'brine or cold storage tank connected to or forming a part of the cooling coils orchamber of such systein,hnd mechanism, hereinafter more fully described, for effecting 'a cllosed condition of the expansion valve of the system, the conjoint action of which new features or elements, of this part of thepresent invention, is to continue and maintain the cooling operation during the period in which the ammonia gas is bein redistilled ;in .the combined generator an absorber of the system.

In the construction shown in the drawing, as illustrative of this part of the present invention, the main cooling chamber or tank L s magnet 20',=wire'sf :3-' 7, 38,; back to'the battery 3' secondly, thei-switch' device. v18isadapted 5 is enlarged to form a combined expansion chamber and a brine tank;.th e\auxil1ary ex? 7 pansion coil 12, beingarranged within said chamber, inan immersed condition injithe brine, and in my preferred construction as shown, the ammonia gas will discharge from such coil-*'directly through the brine, to efiect the abstraction (of any aqueous vapor that may be present in such gas. i

", The abovev mentioned mechanismefor automatically controlling the expansion valve, is

in turn automatically controlled by the mechanism that admits fuel gas beneath the generator, and which last mentioned mech anismis int-urn controlled by the degree of be automatically caused to commence. To

this end, the construction and arrangement of parts will be as follows;

13, is an electro-magnet the expansion valve 4, which. is normally held in the 'closedposition by any suitable means, the operating electrical circuit of this magnet maybe traced as follows: from thebattery 14 tli'rough wires .-39,f40, contacts of switch 16,- wire 33, thermostat 15,

i 7 wire 50, coil of electro-magnet13, wires 32 ,and31 backto the battery 14.. The thermostat is located withinthe'exp'ansion chamher ,5 of the sy stemiandl is adaptedto'close the circuit when the ten' ipe'rature in the ,expansion chamber rises above] a predetermined point;

A pressure gage absorber 1, to" indicate the pressure within .the expansion chamber 5, but" more particularlyto operate thenelectri cal switch device 18, through back -pressureg: in such expanan 'open 'conditionfsuch circuit being'trace sion chamberfl Such switchf'device is adapt-i ed, firstly, toi closez-thecircuit of-the, oper l ating electroinagnet 20.: which operates the valve 21 "in the fuel gasi s'upply pipe'22-to able asfollbwlsz frbm thebattery 14 through wires 39, .46, switch 117 ,wires 48,47,41, sw tch 18, wires 34,.. 3 5,fl36,"coi1 of elect-roto control the electro-magnet '16 of" the switch device 16 that controls'the circuit of the operatlngelectro-magnet 13 of the exber 5 of the system, a nd'simultaneous'with adapted to open v 19 is located that portion of the system: between the expansion; valve 4 and the combined generator and pansion valve-mechanism 4, and by openj 'to assume its tclosed condition to arrest fur-- there expansion of the refrigerant. The resistance of the coil of the electro-magnet' ing saidtcircuit permits the expansion valve 16 .is so determined relative tothe potential o fthe battery, and other elements with which it is included in-seriesthat the closing of the switch 17 will produce a. short-circuitwherebythe current, instead of flowing through the switch 18.-by way of the wire 41 and coilfof the electro-magnet 16, will flow through. such switch by way of wires 46, switch 17 and wires 48 and 47.

v .The automatic igniting-mechanism forfthe fuel gasxburn'er beneath the ammonia still or generator of the present system is ill the present invention automatically controlled.

by the back pressure inthe expansion chamthe opening ofth'e valve 2ll which supplies f uel gas to the burner of themain gener- ,ator- 1. Such igniting mechanism will comprise an electric sparkproducing' mechanism 23, the fixed-member of which is attached adjacent to the gas burner, while I the movable member thereoffis under con trol of the operating electro-magnet 24, by'

which such membersg-are'operated to pro-"- ducean igniting electrical spark; and such members of} the spark-Vproducing mecha nism will he arrangedf in albra'nch circuit of the main battery 14, which may betraced as follows from the battery 14, t.hrough'wire s I Y 39, 46, switch. 17, wires '48,"42,- .spark{ coil 25, ire 44, contacts 23,1andwires 49, 38,-

back to the battery. v s

. The thermostat 26 is arranged in" the branch circuit, which may be; traced as follows: from the battery14thr0u'gh wires 39, '46, switch 17', wires 48, 47, 41, switch '18,

wires 34, 3'5, 45,- ,thermostat26, coil of elecfro-magnet 24, back'to battery. The thermostat under the influence of the'heat from the burner is adapted tin-control the operating circuit of the electromagnet 24, so that after the gas has been -'ignited the heat from the burner will operate such thermostatito i open the circuit thereby 'deenergizingthe electro-magnet and; causing the" 'movabl e member :of the igniting device tobe, cutout of the Gawain which it is included. Upon the accidental extinguishmentg ofthe flame,

the thermostat will reclose" the operatingj- I circuit of the electro-ma'gnet '24 to again bring the igniting mechanism intoaction to g 1 efiecta relighting of the gas. 7

of the system and adapted b'ya' rise in'tem- J perat-ure to completeltheicircui t through the battery to control the circuit of .the'felectro magnet, 28' by which the valve '21'ofthe .fuel

f The thermostat 27'jis/located enaiae' combined absorbing andfgenerating tank l E suppl' is shut ofi. "Such circuit may be trace as follows: from the battery through coils of electro-magnet 28 and 29, respectively, thermostat 27 back to the battery. The switch 17, which is opened by the energization of the electro-magnet 29, controls vention, in. this connection, comprises means .for accomplishing such retardin for retarding the closing of the switch 1.7 after it has been opened, so as to provide a predetermined period of time in which the absorbing and generating tank 1 can cool down to the proper temperature for absorption, before the expansion coil 12 is brought into active service to perform its periodic cooling. function.

In the drawing I have shown as a means result, a dash pot 30, the plunger of which has connection with the moving member of the switch 17; any other equivalent .retardin mechanism may, however, be substitute without departing from the spirit of this part of the present invention.

The operation of the present apparatus is as follows: Starting with the combined generator and absorber 1, charged with a saturated solution of aqua ammonia and the burner beneath the same in a lighted condition to efle'ct distillation. The ammonia gas arising from the solution passes through pipe connection 6, into the rectifier 2, where the greater part of the aqueous vapor is separated, from thence the ammonia gas passes int-o the liquefying chamber or coils 3 to assume a highly compressed or liquid condition. At a degree of temperature within the generator corresponding with'the approximate completion of the distillation, the thermostat 27 closes the circuit of the elect-ro-magnet 28 and operates the fuel supply valve 21 to a closed condition; such action of the thermostat also closes the circuit of the electro-magnet 29 to open, for a predetermined period of time, in which the absorbing and generating tank 1 can cool down to the proper temperature for absorption, the circuit.of the switch 17 and thus prevent any premature and automatic relighting of such fuel gas. With the expiration of such predetermined period of time in which the generator has cooled down so as to be capable of re-absorbing the ammonia gas, a. re-absorption of such gas from the expansion chamber will take place and the pressure in such expansion chamber will be gradually reduced, allowing the back pressure switch 18 to open to break the circuit of the electro-magnet 16and permit the switch 16 in the expansion valve circuit to reclose, whereby the thermostat 15. is

brought into action to open the expansion valve 4 through the electro-magnet 13 to commence the cooling operations of the system. The switch 17 prevents premature and automatic relighting of the gas in the following manner: until such switch is closed, no current can flow, through either the fuel-gas operating magnet 20, the igniter actuating magnet or the spark coil 25 and the sparking gap 23. No current can flow through these elements by way of wire 40 and coil 16' because of the resistance of the latter. This resistance is so determined relative to the battery potential and .to the resistance of the fuel-gas operating magnet, the igniter actuating magnet and the spark coil and sparking gap with .whichit is included in series when not short-circuited by the switch 17, that when not shortcircuited, it will prevent the passage of s'ufiicient current to operate the ignition controlling apparatus. The closing of the switch 17, which is the first effectual closure of the circuits of the fuel-gas operating magnet, the igniter actuating magnet or the spark coil amounts to an initial closure of such circuits so far as their operation is concerned, so that the switch 17 virtually controls the ignition circuits. Unless such switch is closed no gas will be fed to the burner, no current will flow through the ignition circuits and no sparking will take place.

lVith the continued expansion of the gas within the cooling chamber 5, and the continued absorption of such gas within the combined absorber and generator 1, a back pressure is finally established in such cooling chamber, which through the instrumentality of the back pressure gage 19, and switch device 18, closes, first, the circuit of the electro-magnet 16', to operate the switch device 16, to open the circuit of the operatin electro-magn'et 13, of the expansion va ve 4, to permit the same to assume a .closed condition and arrest any further expansion of the refrigerant; and second, to close the circuit of the electro-magnet 20, to open the supply valve 21, and admit fuel gas to the burner of the generator 1. Simultaneously therewith the electro-magnet 24,

is energized to operate the spark producingmechanism 23, to relight the fuel gas, when a new cycle of the operations just described, will again commence.

Having thus fully described my said invention what Iclaim as new and desire to secure byvLetters Patent, is

1. In an automatic absorption system of refrigeration, the combination of a generating and absorbing chamber and means for heating said chamber, a liquefying chamber, a combined expansion chamber and storage brine tank, an expansion valve arranged between the liquefying chamber and the combined expansion chamber and cold storage brine tank and normally held in the closed position, and. means automatically con.- trolled by the pressure within the combined expansion chamber and the storage brine tank for controlling the operation of the lexpansion valve and the generating and absorbing chamber heating means.

2. In an automatic absorption system of refrigeration, the combination of a generating and absorbing chamber, a liq uefyingv chamber, an expansion chamber, an expansion valve arranged between the liquefying and expansion chambers and normally held in the closed position during the distilling period, means auto matically controlled by conditions within the expansion chamber for'controlling the expansion valve whereby a difference in pressure is preserved besure -mechanism,' substantially as setforth.

tween the liquefying chamber and theexpansion chamber, and thermal means for controlling the expansion valve controlling means, substantially as set forth.

3. In an automatic absorption system of.

refrigeration, the combination 'of a generating and absorbing chamber and heating means therefor, av liquefying chamber, an

expansion chamber, thermal means for controlling the' duration of the distilling .period, means automatically operated by back pressure in the expansion chamber for controlling the heating means, and means for retarding the operation of such back pres- 4. In an automatic absorption system of refrigeratiom'the' combinationof .a generating and absorbing chamber, a liquefying chamber, an expansion chamber, means antomatically operated by back pressure in the expansion chamber for-starting redistillation' and means for-retarding the operation of such, back pressure mechanism.

5. In an automatic system of refrigeration, thecombination of a generating and absorbing chamber, a-liquefying chamber,- an expansion chamber, means automatically operated by back pressure inthe expansion chamber .for starting, redistillation, means for retarding the-"operation of such back pressure mechanism and-[a thermostat connected with the generator for/controlling the operation of the retardingdevice.

- the expansion chamber,.an electricalcircuit.

.6- Inan electrical system ofautomatic control for. refrigerating apparatus, the.

combination of agenerating and absorbing chamber, a 'liquefying 3 chamber, an expan;

sion chamber, a'pressuregage connected to controlled by; saidpressure gage,',an'elecjtro-dynamic mechanlsm, arranged in said circuit, and adaptedto control the heatingv of .the main generator, substantially as set] ;forth.y I Y -7. In an electrical system of automatic .controI for refrigerating apparatus, the

combination of a generating and absorbing chamber, a liquefying chamber, an expansion chamber, a pressure gage connected to the expansion chamber, an electrical circuit controlled by said pressure gage, an electro- 'dynamic mechanism arranged in said circuit and controlled thereby, a thermostat in the generating chamber, an electrical cir-- cuit controlled by said thermostat, an electro-dynamic mechanism arranged in such i circuit and controlled thereby, such electrodynamic mechanism being adapted to automatically control the heating of the main generator, substantially as set forth.

8. In an electrical system of automatic control for refrigerating apparatus, the

combination. of a generating and absorbing chamber, a. liquefying chamber, an expansion chamber, a pressure gage connected to' :the ex ansion chamber, an electrical circuitcontrol tro-magnet in said circuit, a thermostat in the generating chamber, an electrical cir cuit' controlled by said thermostat, an electro-magnet in said circuit and a valve in the led by said pressure gage, an elec fuelsupply' adapted to be closed thereby, substantially as set forth.

9.;In an electrical system of. automatic control for refrigerating apparatus," the combination of a generating and "absorbing chamber,'a liquefying. chamber, an expansion chamber, a pressure gage connectedto the expansion chamber, an electrical circuit controlled by said pressure gage, an elect'romagnet in said circuit, a valve in the fuel supply adapted to be opened by. said electromagnet, and an electrical gas lighting rhechanism" controlled by such' circuit, substan- N tially as set forth.

. 10. In an electrical system of automatic I i control forrefrigerating apparatus, the

combination of a generating and absorbing sion ehamber, a pressure gage connected to chamber, a liquefying chamber, an expanthe expansion chamber, anelectricalcircuit' controlled by said pressure gage, an electromagnet in said'circuit, a valve in the fuel supply adapted to be opened by said elect-row magnet, an electric gas lighting mechanism controlled by such circuit, and a thermostat controlling said' gas. lighting mechanism, substantially as set forth.

I :11. .In-an electrical system of automatic control .for refrigerating apparatus, the

combination 'of a generating and absorbing mechanism inoperative, substantially as set forth. 2 I

loo

12. an electrical system of automatic control for refrigerating apparatus, the combination of a generating and absorbingchamber, a liquefying chamber, an expansion chamber, an expansion valve arranged between the. liquefying and expansion chant bers, an electro-dynamic mechanism and circuit controlling said valve, a thermostat in the expansion chamber controlling said circuit, and a pressure actuated switch to open and close said circuit and adapted to be controlled by back pressure in the expansion chamber, substantially as set forth.

13, In a system of automatic control for refrigerating apparatus, the combination of a generating and absorbing chamber, a liquefying chamber, an expansion chamber, an expansion valve arranged between the liquefying and expansion chambers, and mechanism controlling said valve, a thermostat in the expansion chamber controlling said valve mechanism and a device operated by back pressure in the expansion chamber 'to render said valve operating mechanism inoperative. I

14. In an electrical system, of automatic control for refrigerating apparatus, the' combination of a generating and absorbing chamber, a liquefying chamber, an expan-v sion chamber, a pressure gage connected to the expansion chamber, means controlled by said pressure gage, mechanism arranged in connection with said means and adapted to control the heating of the generating cham her, a thermostat associated with the generating chamber, mechanism controlled by said thermostat and adapted to render the back pressure mechanism inoperative.

15. In an electrical system of automatic control for refrigerating apparatus, the

combination of a generating and absorbing chamber, a liquefying chamber, an expanthe expension chamber, an

sion chamber, a pressure gagejconnected to e ectrical vcircuit contro led by said pressure gage, an electrodynamic mechanism arranged in said circuit and adapted to control the heating of the main generator, a thermostat in the generatin chamber, an electrical circuit controlle control the opening. of the back pressure circuit, substantially as set forth.

16. In an electrical system of automatic control for refrigerating apparatus, the combination of a generating and absorbing controlled by said pressure gage, an electro dynamic mechanism arranged in said circuit and adapted to control, the heating of the main generator, a thermostat in the generatin'g chamber, an electrical circuit controlled by said thermostat and adapted to control the opening of the back pressure circuit, and means for holding said circuitopen for a redetermined period of. time, substantia ly as set forth.

-17. In a system of automatic control of refrigerating apparatus, the combination of a generating and absorbing chamber, a liquefying chamber, an expansion chamber, a pressure gage connected to the expansion chamber, a heater, means controlled by the pressure gage to control the supply of fuel to the heater, electric gas lighting mechanism controlled by said means and a thermostat controlling said lighting mechanism.

In testimony whereof have ailixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

, CLYDE J. COLEMAN. Witnesses:

HENRY D. WILLIAMS, HERBERT H. GIBBS.

by said thermostat and adapted to chamber, a liquefying. chamber, an expansion chamber, a pressure gage connected totheexpansion chamber, an electrical circuit 

